Microsoft is urging partners into the cloud but it needs to do more to give them something that helps them get there. Can a partner produce an Office tablet or a Windows phone, when Microsoft itself is struggling to do so? And what's compelling to partners' customers about the next version of Windows? Urging from behind is good for cattle; leading from the front is good for victorious forces.

"Turner made clear that Windows, Office, and other long-running products remain important. He even defended Microsoft's controversial device efforts, though he indicated the Surface line is less a Microsoft cornerstone than an attempt to inspire OEMs. But he also emphasized that all of these products ultimately feed the Microsoft cloud, which makes it the platform on which most of the company's other platforms sit.'

Michael, I think it's like "Survival for the fittest". When competitors are offering all software and tools through cloud, they cannot back out from that.

As InformationWeek Government readers were busy firming up their fiscal year 2015 budgets, we asked them to rate more than 30 IT initiatives in terms of importance and current leadership focus. No surprise, among more than 30 options, security is No. 1. After that, things get less predictable.